Green at the Gills

The pool party of the year. Jenna's annual summer blowout. Everyone who's anyone would be there, and for the first time ever, that included me.

I stood by the snack table, clutching a red solo cup like it was a lifeline. The **water** in the pool sparkled invitingly, but my stomach churned. I'd been staring at the **spinach** artichoke dip for ten minutes, trying to work up the nerve to actually socialize.

"Hey, Marcus!" Jenna called from the pool. "You **swimming** or what?"

I froze. This was it. The moment I'd been dreading and anticipating all week. I managed a nod and set down my cup, but before I could make my move, my best friend Ty appeared at my elbow.

"Bro," he said, eyes wide. "You've got something in your teeth."

My face burned. "What?"

"Big piece of **spinach**, right in front. You've been smiling at people all night."

I wanted to die. I'd spent the last hour awkwardly grinning at everyone who walked by, trying to look friendly and approachable. Meanwhile, I'd been broadcasting **spinach** to the entire sophomore class.

"Dude," Ty continued, completely oblivious to my internal crisis. "Sarah's been looking at you all night. That's why."

"She's laughing AT me, Ty. Not WITH me."

"Nah, she thinks it's cute. She asked me if you were single."

I froze again. Sarah Nguyen, the junior varsity volleyball captain, had noticed me? Sure, I had **spinach** in my teeth, but she'd still noticed me?

"Go fix it," Ty urged, pushing me toward the bathroom. "Then get in the pool. Jenna's starting chicken fight in five minutes."

I emerged five minutes later, **spinach**-free and slightly more confident. As I walked toward the pool, my phone buzzed in my **palm**. Unknown number.

"Hey this is Sarah forgot to ask u earlier 😊" The text made my stomach flip in a completely different way.

I slipped into the **water**, finally, surrounded by laughter and splashing. For the first time all night, I didn't feel like an impostor. Maybe awkward moments were just part of the deal. Maybe the embarrassment was temporary, but the belonging could be real.

"Marcus!" Jenna yelled from across the pool. "Chicken fight! You and me versus Ty and Sarah!"

I grinned, and this time there was nothing in my teeth. I was exactly where I was supposed to be.